Reviews of Zanzibar Serena Hotel 5 stars
Shangani Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar City, Tanzania
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Reviewed: 23 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewIncredible position overlooking the ocean and stunning sunsets. Close to all activities and restaurants around and nearby Stonetown. Staff were extremely friendly and helpful at all times. Restaurants and food were great and lovely position. Day spa was amazing also. Totally recommend.
Nothing at all.
Thank you so much for your kind review of Zanzibar Serena Hotel. We’re truly delighted to hear that you had a memorable stay with us. Your feedback is a great source of motivation for our team, and we’re honored to have been part of your Zanzibar experience. We look forward to welcoming you back in the near future. Wilfred Shirima - General Manager
Thank you so much for your kind review of Zanzibar Serena Hotel. We’re truly delighted to hear that you had a memorable stay with us. Your feedback is a great source of motivation for our team, and we’re honored to have been part of your Za… Show more
Reviewed: 18 August 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewThank you for the great rating! We truly appreciate your support and are glad you had a positive experience at Zanzibar Serena Hotel. We look forward to hosting you again. Wilfred Shirima - General Manager
Reviewed: 16 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewAuthentic architecture
A little dark
Dear Christine, Thank you for your review! We greatly appreciate your feedback and hope to host you again soon. Best regards, Zanzibar Serena Hotel.
Reviewed: 13 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewGreat location and good to have choice of fruits, cereals and someone frying omelettes, eggs for you.
Nothing much
Dear Gilbert, Thank you for your review! We greatly appreciate your feedback and hope to host you again soon. Best regards, Zanzibar Serena Hotel.
Reviewed: 11 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 11 August 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewAmazing location and the staff were very nice and helpful
Nothing
Dear Maha, Thank you for your review! We greatly appreciate your feedback and hope to host you again soon. Best regards, Zanzibar Serena Hotel.
Reviewed: 5 August 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 5 August 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewThis is possibly my favourite hotel worldwide. It’s luxurious in a relaxed tropical way, and felt homely and welcoming. The location is incredible - it’s so close to the sea and there’s always something to see. The swimming pool is large and the sunbed space never felt overcrowded. We had a gorgeous first floor room with a balcony and a hammock. The service is impeccable and the staff really friendly and helpful (shout out to Big Joe who was just brilliant!). The bed was large and really comfortable and we appreciated the mosquito net. The bathroom came with all the usual touches (and I actually needed the sewing kit this time!). The position within the town is fantastic- we pottered around Stonetown a lot and it was very easy for taxis and boat trips.
The WiFi is a bit erratic but as it’s not (thank goodness) a sterile business hotel we were fine about that.
Dear Michael, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're truly honored to be considered one of your favourite hotels worldwide. It’s great to hear that you enjoyed the relaxed luxury, stunning location, and warm hospitality, Big Joe will be especially delighted with your kind mention! We’ve noted your comment about the WiFi and will continue working on improving it. We look forward to welcoming you back soon! Regards, Zanzibar Serena.
Dear Michael, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're truly honored to be considered one of your favourite hotels worldwide. It’s great to hear that you enjoyed the relaxed luxury, stunning location, and warm hospitality, … Show more
Reviewed: 29 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 27 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 26 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewEverything was great!
Toilet had to be fixed to flash better
Thank you for your review! We greatly appreciate your feedback and hope to host you again soon. Best regards, Zanzibar Serena Hotel.
Reviewed: 26 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewLocation, pool area and views of the sea.
Booked twin room for two persons, which we got but it was down as twin room for solo occupancy. They then tried to charge me additional $100 which would obviously have gone direct to them rather than booking.com. Claimed it was a very good price! Had already paid in advance through booking.com Finally agreed on $50 after asking to see the manager. I accepted it was down as one person but felt everything at hotel was trying to get as much as they could out of you. Turned out to be an expensive room and definitely not worth what I paid. Bathroom was very old with shower that just gave a trickle of water. Very basic. Obviously got the weakest room having booked through booking.com. Standard twin room. Breakfast was also very poor but great view if the sea. They could do so much more with the restaurant but it just about passes.
Dear Catherine Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're glad you appreciated our location, pool area, and sea views. We’re truly sorry to hear about the challenges you experienced regarding the room booking and bathroom condition. Your comments are taken seriously, and we will look into the concerns you've raised, especially regarding communication and consistency in service. We always strive to offer clear, fair, and transparent guest experiences, and it's clear we fell short in this instance. We do hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again in the future and provide a much-improved experience. Warm regards, Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Dear Catherine Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're glad you appreciated our location, pool area, and sea views. We’re truly sorry to hear about the challenges you experienced regarding the room booking and bath… Show more
Reviewed: 22 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 19 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewExcellent location and exceptional service. It’s located within the stone town and has amazing ocean views. Also has access to a small beach. The food is their restaurant is great for days when you don’t feel like going out. Breakfast in the morning is elaborate with buffet style options as well as an omelette station. The staff is excellent and very helpful in anything you need. We stayed here a few days and enjoyed our stay very much. If we ever visit Zanzibar again, we’d likely prefer staying here.
Liked everything!
Dear Ahmer, Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful review. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the location, service, and facilities and that our team made your stay special. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we’d be thrilled to welcome you back. Regards, Zanzibar Serena.
Dear Ahmer, Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful review. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the location, service, and facilities and that our team made your stay special. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we’d be thrill… Show more
Reviewed: 17 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 13 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewOld very stylish hotel. Great breakfast, amazing restaurant with sea view. Cosy room with view balcony and charming canopy bed with quality mosquito net.
Dear Bernard, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your stay. We hope to welcome you back to Stone Town soon! Regards, Zanzibar Serena.
Reviewed: 12 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 8 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 6 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 4 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewLocation, Location, Location. Also amenities and staff was very accommodating
Nothing, everything was wonderful
Dear Thomas, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your stay. We hope to welcome you back to Stone Town soon! Regards, Zanzibar Serena.
Reviewed: 4 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 27 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewThe room was exquisite. Balcony on 2 sides with pool and sea views. Staff were fantastic. Food was great. Everyone genuinely friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend.
2 things. On step from hotel to pool is just one small step before 5 or 6 other steps. I tripped on this because you cannot see it very well sit is all the same colour. A strip of white would help you to see it better especially at night. After these steps from there to restaurants there is lighting but not enough at night. Also as I had a sore knee and I was li.ping it would be nice to have hand rails at all of the steps on the property outside.
Dear Lynda, Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful feedback. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the room, views, food, and our team’s hospitality. We also truly appreciate your suggestions regarding the steps, lighting, and handrails your input is invaluable, and we will certainly take it into consideration to enhance safety and comfort for all our guests. We hope to welcome you back again soon! Regards, Zanzibar Serena.
Dear Lynda, Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful feedback. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the room, views, food, and our team’s hospitality. We also truly appreciate your suggestions regarding the steps, lighting, and h… Show more
Reviewed: 17 June 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 17 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewWe had a fantastic stay, the staff were absolutely fantastic and made us feel so welcome as soon as we arrived. We arrived early morning from a long plane journey and they were incredibly welcoming. Big Yusef in particular went above and beyond and he easily organised taxis, walking tours and visits to Prison Island for us. All of the staff were really friendly and helpful. The pool and bar area is ideally located and a great spot for watching the sunset. The breakfast was really varied.
Dear Amelia, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a fantastic stay and felt so welcomed by our team. We’ll be sure to pass on your special thanks to Big Yusef he’ll be delighted to hear your appreciation. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you back again soon! Best Regards, Zanzibar Serena.
Dear Amelia, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a fantastic stay and felt so welcomed by our team. We’ll be sure to pass on your special thanks to Big Yusef he’ll be delighted to hear your appreciati… Show more
Reviewed: 3 June 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified review